Investigating small town shrinkage in the Clutha District of New Zealand and the local response Mathew Husband A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Planning at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand 1 November 2017 i Abstract Throughout history population centres, of any size, have always fluctuated in prosperity, population, and production activities. Current international trends, such as globalisation and urbanisation have created megacities with ever-expanding populations and economies. In contrast, the same trends have begun to cause shrinkage in some parts of the world. Some small towns can be particularly vulnerable to international trends which can destabilise their populations and/ or economies. Multiple examples of this are found in New Zealand such as in towns within the southern district of Clutha. Towns in the Clutha District have been impacted by the rural to urban migration trends seen across the world as well as globalisation which creates large-scale manufacturing as opposed to the relatively small manufacturing offered by small towns. Shrinkage can have negative impacts on small towns and their communities which prompts the need for a response to slow, stop or mitigate the issues related to shrinkage. This research aims to understand the impacts and responses to population loss and economic instability which has taken place in small towns within the Clutha District. The case study towns of Kaitangata and Lawrence were chosen as these towns highlight the varying geographic, social, and economic identities of the Clutha District. The aim of this thesis is to find out how councils, communities, and individuals are affected by economic and demographic change and how they are responding to the impacts of shrinkage. Through developing an understanding of the impacts and possible responses to this issue, this research could help in creating more effective responses that lessen the negative effects of shrinkage in small towns. ii Acknowledgements I would like to thank the following people for their contributions to the completion of this research; • My Supervisor, Professor Etienne Nel. Your guidance and support throughout the writing of this thesis has been very much appreciated, and I am grateful for the motivation and knowledge that you have provided throughout the year. • The Master of Planning staff, Ros Day-Cleavin, Claire Freeman and Michelle Thompson-Fawcett. Your leadership and experience have shaped me as a planner over the last two years, and I am thankful for the hard work that all of you put into the Master of Planning course. • The key informants that participated in this research. Thank you for giving me your time and crucial information relating to this research. • To the planning second years of 2017, thank you for the past two years of fun and good memories. • The 5C15 office crew, Logan, Max, and Olly. You guys have made completing a thesis and coming into University every day bearable with your banter and the office coffee breaks. • My Mum, Dad and Sister who have always been there in support throughout my time at University. • And finally, to my fiancé Bridget Hardy. I could not have survived this year without your unwavering support and love, and I am eternally grateful to have you in my life. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. iii List of Figures ........................................................................................................................ viii List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................ ix 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction: ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Research Rationale: ............................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Research Context: ................................................................................................................ 3 1.4 Research Scope: ................................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Research Structure: .............................................................................................................. 5 2. Literature Review: .............................................................................................................. 6 2.1 Introduction: ......................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Globalisation, urbanisation, and other international trends: ................................................ 6 2.3 Shrinkage in the global context: ........................................................................................ 10 2.4 Small towns in a global context: ........................................................................................ 11 2.5 Catalysts for shrinkage in small towns: ............................................................................. 11 2.6 Small town shrinkage:........................................................................................................ 12 2.7 Global theory on responses to shrinkage: .......................................................................... 14 2.8 Regrowth strategies as a response to shrinkage: ................................................................ 15 2.9 Accepting strategies as a response to shrinkage: ............................................................... 16 2.10 The context of responses to shrinkage in a small town: .................................................. 17 2.11 The New Zealand context and theoretical framework of shrinkage in small towns: ....... 18 2.11.1 Context: ..................................................................................................................... 18 2.11.2 The responses to small town shrinkage in New Zealand: ......................................... 20 2.12 Summary: ......................................................................................................................... 22 3. Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 24 3.1 Introduction: ....................................................................................................................... 24 3.2 Research Design: ............................................................................................................... 24 3.3 Qualitative and Interpretivist Approach: ........................................................................... 25 3.4 Ethical Considerations: ...................................................................................................... 26 3.5 Positionality: ...................................................................................................................... 27 iv 3.6 Literature Review: ............................................................................................................. 28 3.7 Observations: ..................................................................................................................... 29 3.8 Key Informant Interviews: ................................................................................................. 31 3.9 Document Analysis: ........................................................................................................... 33 3.10 Data Analysis: .................................................................................................................. 34 3.11 Limitations: ...................................................................................................................... 34 3.12 Summary: ......................................................................................................................... 36 4. Context: ............................................................................................................................ 37 4.1 Introduction: ....................................................................................................................... 37 4.2 Clutha District: ................................................................................................................... 37 4.3 Kaitangata: ......................................................................................................................... 39 4.3.1 Geography: .................................................................................................................. 39 4.3.2 Demographics: ............................................................................................................ 39 4.3.3 History: ........................................................................................................................ 40 4.3.4 Current State:............................................................................................................... 42 4.4 Lawrence: ..........................................................................................................................